225/255 A/S tires will work. I used to have Yokohama S4s on my car a while back and I was on H&R Super Sport springs and did not have any issues at all. Worked well in the German winter and anywhere from 2-6 inches.

Funny thing is that you're saying TR said 255's won't work on the rear.........they were the ones that recommended me the 225/255 A/S Setup back in 2009.

__________________

Quote from Ezeedee regarding car mods:
"you're only done when you sell the car "

Fact is 99% of drivers (BMW included) will never use more than 80% of a high performance all season tires capabilities on the street anyway. And if you drive more aggressively than that on higher performance tires you are putting other drivers at risk. High performance driving should be confined to the race track and HPD events.

Fact is 99% of drivers (BMW included) will never use more than 80% of a high performance all season tires capabilities on the street anyway. And if you drive more aggressively than that on higher performance tires you are putting other drivers at risk. High performance driving should be confined to the race track and HPD events.

+1
This is very very true.
And that's what i really don't like about forums.
People fetishize things to an extreme.
I mean if i hear the words "to save weight" one more time I'm going to punt kittens into wood chippers!
99% of the time...the car is just a car. Maybe maybe 5 days of the year...you may take it to a track.

I will say again that I drove in the north in snow and ice for about 30 years on all season tires without issues. 15 years in Pittsburgh, Pa. Also a few years in Philly, KC, and Omaha. Snow tires are better but not enough different to make up for a driver with low ability to control oversteer and understeer. If the driver is careful and adequate, all seasons are good enough.

I bought Michelon pilot super sports because I drive my SUV when the roads are questionable. I am much more worried about being hit than my car with summer tires.

I had summer tires and all-seasons on my Subarus (STi and Legacy GT) and while I will agree that having a dedicated set of summers and a dedicated set of winters is nice, you have stated that it is just not practical or reasonable for you.

While the scoobies were awd and immensely better in the snow than the 135 will be, I preferred the all-seasons when it came down too it, even though I see snow less than you do/will. Why? Because it was not practical for me to maintain two sets of tires at the time (no garage then) and since it does get rather cold in the Mid-Atlantic region in late fall and winter, summer tires were just not the best or safest choice. I had the Continental DWS's and also Michelin Pilot Sport A/S. The Michelins were all around better tires, and were better tires for the summer and harder driving. The DWS tires were far better in the snow and the ride was better, but just too soft and handling was not on par with the Michelins.

The best all-season tires I ever had, on any car, were a set of Avon tires on my STi. Great handling, outstanding snow traction, but alas, that particular model tire is no longer made, and I'm not too fond of Avon's current US offerings.

Get the tires that will work best for your situation, and since that seems to be all-seasons, then I would suggest the Michelin Pilot Sports A/S Plus in 225/40/18 front and 255/35/18 rear. Just my suggestion though.

Maybe not everyone lives in the south, the Northeast has winters. I don't plan on racing the car? Your comment makes no sense.

Let's be honest here... you're buying the high performance model and dialing back the performance of said vehicle by using all season tires, so you shouldn't be shocked by the responses saying not to do it. I live farther north than you and we get maybe 3-5 days of snow each year so it seems a bit strange to tailor your car around those five days rather than the other 360. As others have said, all season tires aren't really good at anything other than saving from buying a second set of tires.

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One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that as far as I know, all high performance tire manufacturers say don't use them at temps below 32 degrees. So it not just about snow. I have the Michelin Pilot Sports A/S Plus Zero Pressure tires on my Vette and when you consider the slightly lesser performance in summer with the greater performance in winter, I believe that overall performance for year round is actually better than using a summer tire year round. The Vette is actually dangerous with summer tires in winter and I suspect my 135i is the same.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that as far as I know, all high performance tire manufacturers say don't use them at temps below 32 degrees. So it not just about snow. I have the Michelin Pilot Sports A/S Plus Zero Pressure tires on my Vette and when you consider the slightly lesser performance in summer with the greater performance in winter, I believe that overall performance for year round is actually better than using a summer tire year round. The Vette is actually dangerous with summer tires in winter and I suspect my 135i is the same.

+1.

Over here in Germany, the Germans don't require snow tires. But they do something which makes EVERYONE use snow(M+S plus it must have the snow flake symbol on the sidewall)tires on their cars(!)... the Germans say you don't need them... but IF you get into an accident and you do not have snow tires when the outside temp is under 7'C... YOU will be charge at fault(even IF you did not cause the accident!) and your insurance might not pay (100%) of the repairs. ie: YOU might have to pay part of the repair damage. So... EVERYONE buys and uses snow tires. Oct 15th thru April 15th.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that as far as I know, all high performance tire manufacturers say don't use them at temps below 32 degrees. So it not just about snow. I have the Michelin Pilot Sports A/S Plus Zero Pressure tires on my Vette and when you consider the slightly lesser performance in summer with the greater performance in winter, I believe that overall performance for year round is actually better than using a summer tire year round. The Vette is actually dangerous with summer tires in winter and I suspect my 135i is the same.

Fact is 99% of drivers (BMW included) will never use more than 80% of a high performance all season tires capabilities on the street anyway. And if you drive more aggressively than that on higher performance tires you are putting other drivers at risk. High performance driving should be confined to the race track and HPD events.

No one needs high performance or a sporty feel, but I'm spoiled. When I drive 328i loaners or other cars that have all-season tires, they feel hard and uncommunicative compared to the best summer tires. I prefer Michelin PS2 and PSS summer tires because they feel more comfortable, more precise, and more fun, even driving slow.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that as far as I know, all high performance tire manufacturers say don't use them at temps below 32 degrees. So it not just about snow. I have the Michelin Pilot Sports A/S Plus Zero Pressure tires on my Vette and when you consider the slightly lesser performance in summer with the greater performance in winter, I believe that overall performance for year round is actually better than using a summer tire year round. The Vette is actually dangerous with summer tires in winter and I suspect my 135i is the same.

The stock summer tires start to really loose traction on dry pavement around 55 degrees, below 45 even worse, freezing temps oh my!! Everyone who has summer tires should attempt this test to see whats rolling under them,,, we all have turned off our traction and had fun,,, find a safe place,,,with a lot of room and try this sub 45,,,you would think ur tires are coated with motor oil,,,take off all nannies and the 135 becomes a dangerous car to drive at these temps, with all nannies on, the car still handles well, but you should know what your car is capable of, including your tires and summer tires loose a ton of grip the colder it gets,,nannies mask this and make it less obvious. In the hot summer, I can take nannies off and only lite up my tires for a short time before they gain grip and leave huge black marks,,,in sub 45, I can burn almost endlessly and leave no marks

I learned this the hard way myself, had no knowledge about summer tires,,then 135 #2 met my neighbors car,,,air bags,,,,15000, seat belts (good for one wreck,,gas deployed when air bags activate...6000, rims, 6000, car totaled and not even a dent to metal, front right damage,,rubber bumper wrinkles, headlight in tact,, barely tell it was wrecked,,, summer tires in 38 degrees, getting stupid with all nannies off! Like being on ice, front and rear tires,,,no traction at all